The following is a letter to the editor that was sent to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

JOHN VAN BUREN/Kalamazoo

Area peace groups have been critical of Israel’s alleged obstruction in resolving the so-called Palestinian conflict. They claim Israel has failed to live up to its obligations as a member of the United Nations, namely the occupation of the West Bank, which somehow has caused undue suffering on the part of the Arabs. It is my opinion, that they have mis-characterized and distorted the situation, relying on the lies and myths of the Arab propaganda machine.

There is no legitimate nor legal entity called a Palestinian state, nor is there any historical evidence such a state ever existed. Today, 1 million Arabs living in Israel, enjoying full rights of citizenship. Five years ago, Israel returned the control of Gaza to the Palestine Authority (PA), which was established by the UN to assume administrative control with the hopes for a lasting peace.

Peace activists and our president, argue Israel should abide by the UN resolution to honor the pre-1967 boundaries. A simple knowledge of geography and history reveals that if Israel did agree to such a proposal, they would be signing their own death warrant. To believe that a Palestinian State would be democratic and a peaceful nation under Islamic radicals defies reality and intellectual honesty.

After three wars, two minor conflicts and numerous concessions, nothing has changed the Arab rhetoric. Hatred of the Jews is an integral part of the Arab/Muslim culture. What is troubling is the new anti-Semitism that has developed in our country, which is concentrated in the political left and some of our prestige universities, where some have actually called for the abolition of Israel.